sky ridge hotshots series review 🔥📖
*Spoilers!*
Book One - “Fight”
- Tropes: forced proximity, reformed playboy, one bed, miscommunication
“Fight” was my favorite of the series. The banter between Cal and Scottie was written really well and was super entertaining to read. They had real chemistry and it was obvious. The stakes were HIGH (hello near-death experience on a mountaintop) and I LOVED IT. Scottie’s character was fleshed out really well with her religious upbringing and her self-sacrificial nature for her friends. Cal wasn’t as deep, but he was still realistic. I think their time stuck in the tower at the top of the mountain was dragged out a bit too long and their descent down the mountain was way too short, but that’s my personal opinion.
Book Two - “Protect”
- Tropes: second chance romance, single mom, past & present timelines
“Protect” was my least favorite of the series. The antagonist (Kyleigh, I think?) and her blackmailing “date-me-or-else” plot seemed immature. Granted, they were 18 at the time. But for that to be the entire foundation for their strained relationship as 30-year-olds came off as weird. I love high stakes romances and this had a pretty good moment when Rowan fell into that ash pit. Unfortunately, that happens in the first few chapters so things kinda go down from there.
Book Three - “Honor”
- Tropes: love after loss, brother’s best friend, single mom, neighbors
“Honor” had some interesting moments, but I honestly had to force myself to finish it. This book really highlights postpartum, but the depth of the characters sucked. The kids’ personalities were surface level and Dalton was written as if he was an assistant instead of a child. I have kids, so I understand that they want to be helpful. But that’s all his character did—help take care of his siblings. And Bea must be an angel baby because she slept the entire book and ate perfectly on schedule. Xander’s character arc was 100% predictable based on how his dad lived and died. The “surprise” pregnancy at the end was also predictable because… again… Teddy is newly postpartum and that’s when women are most fertile, and they didn’t use protection. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out.
Overall not a bad series, but not an amazing one either. I recommend the first one for sure and then you can decide from there whether or not to keep going 😊
Okay, so you've seen the reviews and you're wondering about the Sky Ridge Hotshots series? I totally get it! We all want to know if a book series is worth our precious reading time, especially when it comes to romance. Many of you are asking about the “spicy” factor, the series order, and whether to commit to all three books. Let me dive a little deeper based on my own experience with "Fight," "Protect," and "Honor." First things first: the spice! Based on my "chili rating" for these books (and believe me, I read a lot of romance!), the Sky Ridge Hotshots series definitely has its moments. Book One, "Fight," for me, had the most palpable heat. The chemistry between Cal and Scottie was undeniable, and that's what truly makes a romance sizzle, right? It's not just about explicit scenes, but the build-up, the longing, the tension. While the other books, "Protect" and "Honor," also have their spicy scenes, the overall emotional connection and magnetic pull didn't quite reach the same level for me. If you're looking for that intense, burning passion, "Fight" is where it's at. Now, let's talk tropes! This series is packed with them, and they're a huge draw for romance readers. "Fight" kicks off with fantastic forced proximity and the reformed playboy trope, plus the classic one-bed scenario. These are goldmines for building immediate tension and intimacy, which worked brilliantly here. Who doesn't love watching two people try to deny their attraction when they're stuck together? "Protect" dives into second-chance romance and a single mom storyline. While these can be incredibly heartwarming, sometimes the execution can make or break it. For me, the antagonist's plot in "Protect" felt a little juvenile, which distracted from the potential of the second-chance love story. Then there's "Honor," which features love after loss, brother's best friend, and another single mom trope. These are heavy themes, and while they can lead to deeply emotional narratives, I personally felt the character depth could have been stronger to truly carry the weight of these tropes. Sometimes, even beloved tropes need solid character development to truly sing. For those asking about the Sky Ridge Hotshots series order, it's pretty straightforward: Fight Protect Honor My personal advice, especially if you're on the fence after reading reviews, is to definitely give "Fight" a go. It stands strong on its own with that amazing banter and high-stakes plot. If you absolutely love it, then by all means, continue with "Protect" and "Honor" to see how the rest of the Hotshots' stories unfold. However, if "Fight" doesn't quite grab you, or if you find yourself feeling less invested, it's totally okay to stop there. Not every series is for everyone, and sometimes the first book is the shining star. The OCR also showed star ratings, with "Fight" often getting the highest, which aligns with my own experience. Ultimately, reading is such a personal journey. What one person finds predictable, another might find comforting. What one person considers "spicy," another might find mild. I hope this deeper dive helps you decide if the Sky Ridge Hotshots series, with its firefighters, romance, and varying levels of heat, is the right next read for you! Happy reading!
